Just before reaching Glenfinnan station, north/west-bound trains cross the spectacular Glenfinnan Viaduct , a hundred-year-old stone arched rail bridge which was brought to fame in the Harry Potter movies (the bridge also features on the Bank of Scotland £10 note). Sit on the left of the train for the best views down the loch and towards the Monument.

Just before reaching Glenfinnan station, north/west-bound trains cross the spectacular Glenfinnan Viaduct , a hundred-year-old stone arched rail bridge which was brought to fame in the Harry Potter movies (the bridge also features on the Bank of Scotland £10 note). Sit on the left of the train for the best views down the loch and towards the Monument.

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A single from Fort William to Glenfinnan is £5.10, and a day return is £6. If you have a Highland Railcard (for people who live in the Highlands only, £7.50 for one year, gives you 50% off all Highland rail travel), it's £2.55 single, and a day return £3. These passes do not have photo ID, therefore can be shared amongst others.

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A single from Fort William to Glenfinnan is £5.10, and a day return is £6. If you have a Highland Railcard (for people who live in the Highlands only, £8 for one year, gives you 50% off all Highland rail travel), it's £2.55 single, and a day return £3. These passes DO have photo ID. (Prices right as of Summer 2009)

Check for timetables and updates on prices: [http://www.scotrail.co.uk]

In summer, the West Coast Railway company runs a special steam train service along this line to Mallaig, which is popular with tourists and day-trippers, especially due to the associations with the Harry Potter franchise.

In summer, the West Coast Railway company runs a special steam train service along this line to Mallaig, which is popular with tourists and day-trippers, especially due to the associations with the Harry Potter franchise.

Get in

Road

By train

Glenfinnan is on the West Highland Railway, with daily services from Glasgow, Fort William and Mallaig operated by ScotRail.
Just before reaching Glenfinnan station, north/west-bound trains cross the spectacular Glenfinnan Viaduct , a hundred-year-old stone arched rail bridge which was brought to fame in the Harry Potter movies (the bridge also features on the Bank of Scotland £10 note). Sit on the left of the train for the best views down the loch and towards the Monument.

A single from Fort William to Glenfinnan is £5.10, and a day return is £6. If you have a Highland Railcard (for people who live in the Highlands only, £8 for one year, gives you 50% off all Highland rail travel), it's £2.55 single, and a day return £3. These passes DO have photo ID. (Prices right as of Summer 2009)

In summer, the West Coast Railway company runs a special steam train service along this line to Mallaig, which is popular with tourists and day-trippers, especially due to the associations with the Harry Potter franchise.

By bus

Glenfinnan is on two local bus routes - buses to Mallaig and buses to Acharacle, both from Fort William. The bus company is called Shiel Buses, whose base is in Acharacle. They do other routes to Kilchoan and a local route for the Mallaig area. Buses leave Fort William 3-4 times a day, Monday to Saturday. A single to Glenfinnan is £2.70, a day return £3.50.

Get around

Glenfinnan is a small village and it is possible to walk everywhere. There is a track that runs from the top of the village to the bottom, named the back track. It has a foot bridge in the middle and is therefore only accessible by foot. There is now a pavement on the main road from the very top of the village at Tor An Eas, to the bottom, at the National Trust for Scotland.

Car Parks: National Trust for Scotland (for a small daily fee), the car park at the bottom of the glen (turn right instead of left into the village at the cross roads), and both hotels also have their own car parks.

The train station is at the top of the village, with the main bus stops at the station road entrance (beside the red phone box) or at the cross roads at the bottom of the village. Make sure you hail the buses to stop.

See

Loch Shiel stretches towards the sea for 17 miles from here and only fails to make it by two miles (it stops at Acharacle). There are boat trips on the loch and walks beside it.

Glenfinnan Viaduct is a beauty, curving round the head of a river valley in over 20 arches.

Glenfinnan Monument marks the spot where 'Bonnie Prince Charlie,' son of the Jacobite pretender to the throne, raised his banner to start the 1745 rebellion.

Do

The Glenfinnan Highland Games

During the summer, most small communities in the Highlands open up for their very own Highland Games, which can include anything from dancing competitions, tossing the caber, and local cuisine to races and art tents.

In Glenfinnan, the Games usually happen on the weekend in August closest to the 19th, as it was the day that Bonnie Prince Charlie raised the Standard during the Jacobites Revolution, in 1745. This feat is marked by the monument, which stands by the beach. The monument itself is our own leaning tower of Pisa, as it has slowly been sinking into the sand for years now. It is not dangerous though, as it is hardly noticeable except to the best eye!

The Games are held on the large field on the left hand side as you enter into the village from the Fort William direction. The games go on from morning until night and in the afternoon there is the famous hill race! After 5PM there is usually better craic in the beer tent than anywhere else and later that evening there is the Games Dance.

Glenfinnan Fun Day

Glenfinnan Fun Day is held in June every year on the lawn of Glenfinnan House Hotel. The day begins with a raft race from the Monument to the old pier at the hotel. All entries welcome, life jackets must be worn and parent supervision is necessary.

The day progresses on the lawn with the entire village turning up for fresh food (local cuisine such as venison and fresh salmon on an open BBQ), games and slides for the children (and the adults). There is usually a raffle to raise funds for village activities (such as parties for the children at Christmas). There is no entry fee although all villagers are asked to contribute to the salads, drinks and raffle prizes available.

Walks

Glenfinnan is in an area of hills, loch and beautiful scenery. Here are a few recommended walks:

The Village Walk

You can either begin at the top of the village at the station, or start at the bottom and end up there.
From the red phone box on the main road: Head towards the top of the village, but take the first right down a bumpy track. This is the "backtrack". Follow the path down and across the foot bridge. When you reach the tarmac road, turn right and follow the road to the pier. At the pier, take the shore path to the left, and you will end up at the Glenfinnan House Hotel. Walk across the front of the lawn, and you will find yourself upon the road again. Straight across the road, there is a footpath leading up to the church. You will have to cross someone's drive to carry on here. At the church there is a fantastic view of the loch. At the church car park, and the main road, you can either take a right down to the bottom of the village and the glen, or take a left to take you back to the top of the village. The main road in the village is single track and has some beautiful little beaches if you just step off the road.

The Loch Path

At the National Trust for Scotland museum/cafe, there is a path down to the monument. Just off that path to the left, there is a wooden trail around the edge of Loch Shiel which crosses over the old road and over a bridge to the other side of the loch. From here there are view points and a choice to either go left to Callop (where there is another car park and another glen) or to the right and Polloch. Polloch is a long walk, but you can make your way down the track a little bit for lovely views of the island and towards the village.

The Glen

You can park your car at the bottom of the glen as driving is restricted to residents of the glen only. Walk as far as you like. There are view points further up the glen, plus this is a good way to get a close up of the Glenfinnan Viaduct, used for films such as Charlotte Gray and Harry Potter. The Glen road is tarmac up until the bothy, which is about 4 miles walk. The road follows the river, in which you can swim in summer.

Swim

For you brave ones out there, there are a few good places to swim in summer.
The loch (the bay just off the single track road as you enter the village at the bottom) is an excellent place to swim. Although slightly shallow and rocky at the beginning, it soon widens out to a completely sandy bottom and plenty of space to swim. People have been known to swim to the island and back!
River Finnan, up the glen, is a good place for privacy though. The further you go, the better the pools.

Buy

Glenfinnan has no grocery shops (nearest: Corpach, 12 miles in the direction of Fort William), clubs or bank machines, although many places do accept credit cards as payment.

There is a shop at the National Trust for Scotland, selling souvenirs, books, post cards and other miscellaneous items.

There is a small shop at the Station Museum on the platform at Glenfinnan Station.

There is a Candle shop at the top of the village (opposite the Prince's House), selling all kinds from the best midge candles in the area (and very handy they are too!) to gorgeous scented candles, all hand made on the premises.

Eat

Glenfinnan House Hotel

Bar meals and restaurant, open to non-residents. Set menu, specials and extensive wine list available.

The Prince's House

Bar meals and restaurant, open to non-residents. Set menu plus large board of specials available every day. Chef here is brilliant!

The National Trust for Scotland Cafe

Sandwiches and soup available at lunch time. Tea/Coffee and cake available all day every day. Open 10.00-16.45. Monday to Sunday.

The Carriage

Sandwiches, soup and home baking available all day every day. Open Monday to Sunday, 10.00-16.30.

Drink

Both hotels are open to non-residents, and both have a wide selection of alcohol, bar meals and soft drinks.

Glenfinnan House Hotel has a dart board whereas the Princes House (otherwise known as the Stage House) has a pool table.

The cafe at the National Trust for Scotland is open every day from April 1st to October 29th, 10AM until 4.45PM, although in July & August this changes to earlier/later openings. It offers hot and cold beverages, home baking, plus ice creams, fresh soup and sandwiches daily.

The Carriage (beside the train station) is open every day this summer, 10AM until 4.30PM. Run by Hetty MacRae, this cafe is completely local and offers home baking and lunches, plus hot and cold beverages all day.

Sleep

(2009 Prices)

Self-Catering Caravan Set in a quiet location, the caravan is within walking distance of both hotels and cafes, plus great walks and beautiful scenery. Close to train and bus stops.

Glenfinnan House Hotel[3] This fine hotel has won many awards including the Small Country Hotel of the Year (2009). Built in 1755, this hotel has a lot of history along with ghosts (supposedly) and holds a great number of weddings every year.

Low Season, per room, per night: £85 - £125

Mid Season, per room, per night: £105 - £140

High Season, per room, per night: £115 - £160

Dinner can be pre-booked with the room for £30 per person.

The Prince's House[4] This hotel is based at the top of Glenfinnan and has also won many awards, not only for quality but for the excellent cuisine also (with an award winning chef). Built in 1658, this hotel was originally a "coaching inn" named, and still given the nickname of The Stage House.

Low Season, per room, per night: £55 - £125

Mid Season, per room, per night: £60 - £135

High Season, per room, per night: £65 - £150

All Rates include Breakfast. Weekend rates can be as little as £30 extra and will include dinner.

The Sleeping Car, Glenfinnan Station[5] Built in 1958, this sleeping car has many of it's original features. With a total of 10 beds, dining area, lounge with TV and bathroom, this is the perfect budget get away. Bikes are available for hire also.

Low/Mid/High Season, per person, per night: £12

Children under the age of 12: £9

Book the whole carriage: £100

Bedding/Towels: £2

Get out

There are many things to visit in the area, with Fort William (Outdoor Capital of the UK) and Ben Nevis (Highest Mountain in UK) nearby. Fort William is 17 miles away and you can get there by bus or rail (see above).

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!